I enjoyedF9quite a bit, but if there’s ever an opportunity to pivot and discussThe FacultywithJordana Brewster, you can bet I’m going to take it.
The 1998Robert Rodriguez-directed film marked Brewster’s very first feature. If you haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for? Of all the late-90s horror movies that tried to catch thatScreamwave, it’s one of the absolute best and a movie I still can’t get enough of to this day. It takes place at Herrington High School where, all of a sudden, something doesn’t seem quite right about the teaching staff. Brewster’s character is part of a small group of students who realize aliens are taking over their school just in time to band together and attempt to do something about it.
Much to my delight, while chatting with Brewster for the release of theF9Director’s Cut, her experience working onThe Facultynaturally came up. That portion of the conversation began with her describing her shorthand withF9directorJustin Lin. Here’s what she said:
“Justin and I have a shorthand because we’ve worked together on Annapolis and then on 4, 5, 6 and now 9. So he knows how to trigger certain things in me. He knows how to push my buttons.”
How exactly does Lin go about triggering those reactions from Brewster? She continued:
“I think oftentimes with me it’s like, bring up my kid or bring up how it relates to that. Justin’s so funny; sometimes he’ll just be like, ‘Clutch,’ and I’m just like, [nods]. It’ll be like one word and I’m just like, ‘Yes.' I’m very practical; it helps me to go behind the camera and watch myself. I’m not one of those actors that’s gonna get neurotic - I mean, I am a neurotic actor, but it helps me to watch the performance and go, ‘Oh, I see. I see what’s missing. I see what’s not connecting there,’ so it’s really nice when you work with directors who allow you to do that.”
RELATED:Jordana Brewster Hopes to Explore What Brian and Mia’s Kids Are Up to in the Final ‘Fast and Furious’ Films
Ona recent episode of Collider Ladies Night,Alexandra Daddariomentioned her eagerness to see playback early on in her career and coming to learn that, “Directors don’t love when actors are constantly asking to see the scene back.” So what’s that like for an actor like Brewster who benefits from being able to see her work? That’s whereThe Facultycame in! Here’s what she said when asked what happens when she doesn’t have access to that footage:
“I have been in that situation, but I also grew up — on The Faculty I remember, they would show dailies during lunch, so you were able to watch the dailies or you could ask hair and makeup, ‘What do they look like? How’s it looking?’ Or oftentimes, hair and makeup gets the dailies and you can sneak them. You’re like, [whispering] ‘Show me them,’ or you have to know the right person in the crew. But yeah, it’s kind of a drag. You know what’s a drag? When they lie to you and they’re like, ‘I’m sorry, we don’t have playback.’ And you’re just like, ‘Um, that’s a lie. No.’ So yeah, it’s very helpful to me. Because I can tweak things and be objective.”
See? It all comes back toThe Faculty! If you’re looking for more from Brewster, be sure to catch our full chat for the release of theF9Director’s Cut in the video at the top of this article. you’re able to also revisit ourCollider Ladies Nightchat from June whenF9hit theaters. That conversation includes more onThe Facultyand alsoD.E.B.S.,The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginningand Brewster’s journey in theFast and Furiousfranchise!
KEEP READING:Jordana Brewster Breaks Down Her Journey from Studying at Yale to 20 Years of ‘Fast and Furious’
